Should respiratory infections be ignored?

Question

Dr's and hospitals in my former city said to ignore them unless high fever, earache, or severe sore throat because viruses shouldn't be treated with antibiotics and your system will become immune to them and you won't be able to fight super bugs like Mrsa. They said it was a waste to bring myself and kids to er or Dr. and expose them to more germs when nothing can be done for viruses and they can last up to 3 weeks depending on strain. I moved to a new state and the Dr. said never ignore and tested my cold for staph and strep then diagnosed my family with staph and 28 days antibiotics were given. No fevers, sores, or infectious looking drainage. Opinions about ignoring or not to ignore?

Answer 1

Your previous doctors were more or less correct in saying that most respiratory infections do not require a doctor.

However, your current doctor diagnosed your whole family with respiratory staph.

Why did you go to the doctor? You must have thought you were sick.

It is always a matter of judgment, and anybody can make a mistake. I have been refused antibiotic when I knew I needed it; they had to give it to me anyway the next day.

The whole family on antibiotics for staph sounds like a big deal.

Answer 2

Nothing should ever be "ignored", but the original doctors were right in saying that there's not much we can do about viruses, so unless they are very unwell, there's not much we can do about them.



Basically, if you are just a little bit off-colour and it's only been a few days, there's no reason to go rushing into the ER for that. If you are seriously unwell or it doesn't resolve, then it might be worth investigating further.

Answer 3

no infection should be ignored.